ð¥ å
§ç§å°ç§èåç
Mechanistic Deep Dive
HP Pathophysiology
- Type III (immune complex) â acute
- Type IV (delayed cell-mediated) â subacute, chronic
- Th1 response (in non-fibrotic) â granulomatous inflammation
- Th2 shift in chronic â fibrosis
- Genetic susceptibility (MHC II alleles)
Fibrotic HP Mechanism
- Persistent antigen exposure or genetic susceptibility
- Pro-fibrotic cytokines (TGF-β)
- Fibroblast activation, ECM deposition
- Antifibrotic agents (nintedanib, pirfenidone) target this
Recent Trials & Updates
INBUILD (2019) â Nintedanib for Progressive Fibrotic ILD
- HP + other progressive fibrotic ILD
- Nintedanib slowed FVC decline
- FDA approved for progressive pulmonary fibrosis 2020
- Expanded use in fibrotic HP
2020 ATS/JRS/ALAT HP Guidelines
- Updated classification: fibrotic vs non-fibrotic
- Treatment recommendations
- Antifibrotic for fibrotic HP
ISHAM 2022 ABPA Update
- Refined diagnostic criteria
- Total IgE > 500 (relaxed from 1000)
- Imaging + immunology
MEPACATA (2024) â Mepolizumab in HES
- Confirmed efficacy
- Reduced flares + steroid dependence
Dupilumab for ABPA (2024)
- Phase 2/3 trials
- For refractory cases
- IL-4Rα blockade
Tezepelumab for Eosinophilic Conditions
- Trials in CEP, ABPA, hypereosinophilia
- Broader efficacy
High-Yield Specialist Points
Pigeon Breederâs Lung Pearls
- Specific avian protein (mucin, IgA, IgG)
- Even brief exposure (cleaning coop)
- âPigeon breederâs lungâ or âbird fancierâsâ
- Specific precipitins
- Avoidance often curative for non-fibrotic
Hot Tub Lung
- MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) aerosolized
- Immune-mediated rather than infection alone
- Drain + treat hot tub OR remove
- Steroids + antimicrobial in some
Farmerâs Lung (Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula)
- Moldy hay
- Thermophilic
- Seasonal
- Industrial farming reduced incidence
- Mask + ventilation prevention
CD8+ HP vs CD4+ Sarcoid
- HP: typically CD8 predominant
- Sarcoid: CD4 predominant
- Older teaching; some overlap
Eosinophilic Pulmonary HRCT Patterns
- CEP: peripheral + upper lobe (âphotographic negative of pulmonary edemaâ)
- AEP: diffuse ground-glass + bilateral infiltrates
- ABPA: central bronchiectasis + mucus impaction
- EGPA: variable; nodules, ground-glass, consolidation
ABPA Stages (Rosenberg-Patterson)
- Acute
- Remission
- Exacerbation
- Corticosteroid-dependent
- End-stage fibrosis
ABPA Treatment Pearls
- Itraconazole reduces steroid dose
- Voriconazole alternative
- Posaconazole emerging
- Dupilumab for refractory (case reports + emerging trials)
- Aspergillus eradication challenging
EGPA Diagnosis
- Asthma (often severe)
- Peripheral eosinophilia (> 10%)
- Mono / polyneuropathy
- Pulmonary infiltrates
- Paranasal sinus abnormality
- Extravascular eosinophils on biopsy
EGPA Treatment
- Steroids (always)
- Cyclophosphamide (severe with vasculitis)
- Rituximab (alternative for ANCA-positive)
- Mepolizumab (Class I; reduces flares)
- Plasmapheresis for ANCA-positive vasculitis
Drug-Induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia
- Common drugs: NSAIDs, antibiotics (nitrofurantoin, sulfa), antiarrhythmics (amiodarone), immunotherapy
- Stop drug; steroids if severe
- Recovery usually complete
Loeffler Syndrome
- Transient pulmonary infiltrates + eosinophilia
- Parasites (Ascaris larvae migrating through lungs)
- Self-limited
- Anti-parasitic + bronchodilator if symptomatic
Idiopathic HES â FIP1L1-PDGFRA
- Imatinib responsive (myeloid HES)
- Less common subtype
- Other variants: lymphocytic (T-cell driven), Multi-organ
CT-Guided HP Workup
- Detailed history
- HRCT (expiratory + prone protocols)
- BAL cell differential
- Specific precipitins
- Cryobiopsy if uncertain
- Multidisciplinary discussion
Pearls
- HP classification: fibrotic vs non-fibrotic (2020 ATS)
- HP BAL: lymphocytosis, CD4/CD8 < 1
- HP HRCT: mosaic attenuation + centrilobular nodules; fibrotic = upper-mid lung
- HP treatment: antigen avoidance + steroids + antifibrotic for fibrotic (INBUILD)
- AEP: smoking trigger + BAL eos > 25%; dramatic steroid response
- CEP: âphotographic negativeâ HRCT + asthma; relapse 50%
- ABPA: asthma/CF + IgE > 1000 + central bronchiectasis; itraconazole + steroids; dupilumab emerging
- EGPA: asthma + eosinophilia + vasculitis; mepolizumab Class I
- HES: > 1500 eos + 6 mo + organ; imatinib if FIP1L1-PDGFRA